Em Seitz
Q What do you do?
“As a freelance writer and strategist, I manage campaigns, establish brand voices, name stuff, and help smart people untangle their tongue-tied ideas. ”
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
It began with a presentation called "Why I Should Have a Dog" circa 2002. Skip past 10 years and a detour through chemical engineering land and you end up at my first internship at an advertising/branding shop in Florida. I haven't looked back since, bringing my pencil to agencies big and small, a dating app's in-house creative team, and contract jobs along the way. I've also spent two years co-running a zine about women and gender non-conforming folk's relationship with pleasure.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I approach copywriting with the belief that it's almost never life or death, but it can help people feel less alone. This means I come to every job with one mission—help someone feel seen. And if that means I'm not the best person to be writing, I help the person who is.
Additionally, with a love of rabbit holes and learning, I bridge gaps between creatives and business strategists.
Bonus: As a writer who grew up around designers, I know my way around a mood board.
Q What are you working on right now?
I'm a budding freelancer 🌹, but when I'm not pitching myself, I'm diving into the above-mentioned rabbit holes on gettingwordy.substack.com, my blog about writing.
Q What’s your style?
I would describe my perspective and taste as direct with heart. I never mean to be blunt or cold, but I'm not one to hedge my bets.
You can see it best in my personal website (EMCATHSEITZ.COM). But I think it's interesting to see how it translated in my zine, Unstained (unstained.co). It's an extremely emotional, personal body of work, but that straightforward, simple voice comes through nevertheless.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
Editorial writing/direction
Q What is frustrating you right now?
To answer the first question, I was feeling held back only working for one brand. I wanted to explore a lot of ideas and what ifs, but a marketing roadmap doesn't have a lot of time for that.
As for the tasks that land to the bottom? I'd say I struggle with the bookkeeping—a tale as old as time.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Such a good question. I would have them keep my apartment (kitchen) clean while I work during the day. It's not that I'm particularly messy, but a sink full of dishes across the room makes it hard for me to write a good headline, ya know?
I'm a Capricorn, if you couldn't tell.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
Oh boy. It's something I needed then, and still need now.
"You're on your own timeline."
So often my creative juices get gunked up in anxieties about what I should/shouldn't be doing at X point in my career. Or what is/isn't ""productive."" I want to get that childlike ""because I can and it's beautiful"" energy back into my life.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
I'd talk with a neurologist or linguist about what makes words stick in people's heads. I'm currently fascinated by NPC streaming—what about hearing someone say "ice cream so good" 100x makes the kids go wild?
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
As a creative/strategy hybrid with a pencil, I'm here for: developing brand foundations (translating your ideas into mission/vision/values), supporting creative teams with ideation or concepting, naming projects, and exploring editorial narratives (blogs, long-term platforms, reports, zines, etc).
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
People who are really good at what they do, all caring about something together. I'm not one for formalities, and I TRULY believe you know more about your business/world than I do. I just like helping people take their ideas from a marble block to Michelangelo's David.
Q What is your rate?
Hourly rate: $100-$150 depending on the kind of work/length of project
Day rate: $1k
That being said, I'm open! My website says I work for brands that feed me, and feeding my soul is just as important to me.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Shoot me an email at emcathseitz@gmail.com — just a general idea of what you're looking for and a time to chat!
Q Who is a creative you admire?
The first person that comes to mind is my creative partner Rach Newman (they/she). They're an art director with a forward eye.
But, to not play favorites, I'll reco Annika Hansteen-Izora (they/she/he). I had the opportunity to work with Annika when they were talent in a campaign, and let me tell you—he can do it all. My favorite work of theirs is the summer field guide series.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Books on books on books / Overheard conversations / The words, already out there
This member profile was originally published in August 2023